Armenian opposition figure calls for international guarantors, warns of risk of renewed conflict

An Armenian opposition figure on Monday called for the involvement of multiple international guarantors in efforts to secure a lasting peace with Azerbaijan, warning that the government’s current approach could leave the country vulnerable to renewed conflict.

Narek Karapetyan, a board member of the Strong Armenia party, made the remarks in an interview with Shant TV, where he criticized Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s stance that Armenia can normalize relations with Azerbaijan without external guarantees.

Karapetyan pointed to a significant military imbalance between the two countries, estimating Azerbaijan’s advantage at roughly eightfold, and questioned the basis for confidence in a durable peace under such conditions.

“What assurance do we have that any agreement will result in long-term peace?” he said.

He also raised concerns about the potential for future demands from Azerbaijan, suggesting that the absence of formal guarantees could expose Armenia to additional pressure over time.

Karapetyan further questioned Azerbaijan’s reluctance to accept third-party guarantors, arguing that such resistance undermines claims of peaceful intent.

“If Azerbaijan truly seeks peace and harbors no ambitions toward Armenia, it should not object to international guarantors,” he said.